Dublin South East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doolan Demands Education Minister Keep School Open

Published: 24 February, 2004

Sinn Féin Representative for Dublin South East Daithí Doolan has today publicly challenged the Minister for Education & Science Noel Dempsey to keep a Dublin secondary school open.

Speaking ahead of tonight's public meeting in Jury's of Ballsbridge, Doolan called on the Minister, "to ensure that St Mary's School, Haddington Road will not be forced to close.

Mr. Doolan said: "This school is the only girl's secondary school in this part of Dublin and has provided an excellent education for over 100 years. I will be raising the proposed closure with the minister in the strongest possible terms. I will be calling on the Minister to step in and buy or rent the school from the current trustees, the Holy Faith Sisters.

"The Department has indicated that one of the main issues 'is increasing the level of investment in education in the years ahead', if this is to be realised then it is into schools like St Mary's that investment needs to be made. The Department of Education has an obligation to step in and fill the vacuum created by the Catholic Church's withdrawal due to falling numbers."

Mr. Doolan concluded by calling on Minister Dempsey, "to rise to the challenge and keep this school open. This evening's meeting will indicate just how serious the Minister takes this consultation process. It is vital that St Mary's is kept open to provide the level education that this community deserves."